Keith Ball was born in 1961 in Ilford, England. The son of legendary jazz musician Kenny Ball, he grew up with a wealth of influences, including swing and jazz, and from a young age all types of music played a huge part in his young life.

Keith's vocals are influenced by some of the greatest musicians and singers of our time. The likes of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra and Jack Jones spring to mind when listening to his vocals.

Taking the lead from his father, Keith started playing from a young age, first taking up drums and then trumpet followed by the piano. Since then he's played in a variety of lineups and big bands covering a broad spectrum of music. From his humble days as a session musician, Keith has now mastered his craft and added to his repertoire singing a variety of hits from the Rat Pack days on his solo engagements.

John Bennett (Trombone)

John, a founder member of the band, was born in East London 'within the sound of Bow Bells'.

He started out in jazz at an early age as a self-taught boogie woogie pianist, and regularly picked the lock of the school piano with his nail file in order to give lunch-hour recitals to his fellow pupils. This was severely frowned upon by the educational authorities of the day, though it did earn John a lasting place in his schools underground hall of fame.

Later on he took up trombone, and while stationed in London on National Service with the army, John spent his off-duty evenings sitting in with bands at various jazz clubs in the Soho area. He went professional with the Terry Lightfoot band in 1956, and there met Kenny Ball who was also to join that band eighteen months later. Kenny soon realised that although Terry' s band was successful he wanted to play different stuff and entertain audiences in a more flamboyant manner and decided to leave. John said, " Well if you're going I'm going too " and that was the start of a 55 year friendship and partnership.

Ben Cummings (Trumpet & Vocals)

Ben Cummings has established a formidable reputation as one of Britain’s finest trumpet players. He enjoys a highly successful career as a full time musician having played with Jacqui Dankworth, Jamie Cullum, Bad Manners, the Humphrey Lyttelton Band, the Pasadena Roof Orchestra. His influences include Chet Baker, Clark Terry and Bob Brookmeyer. He also has his own Big Beat Band.

Ben has been described as a demon horn player, he’s surprised many bands he’s played in with his clever trumpet escapades, into which he puts his heart and soul. Ben fills the now familiar supporting trumpet role to Kenny Ball.

Hugh Ledigo (Piano / M.D.)

Born at the beginning of the Swing era, Hugh's original love was classical music, but his brother's success as a jazz-band-leader lured him across the tracks at a tender age.

His musical tastes still embrace Bach and Debussy, Bix and Duke. After years of jazz and nightclubs, Hugh became MD for London's prestigious Showboat Theatre-Restaurant before joining the famous Pasadena Roof Orchestra.

After belatedly completing his formal training with the concert pianist Eileen John, Hugh joined the ranks of Kenny Ball's Jazzmen in November 1987. He is equally at home playing Dixieland through to Be-Bop and beyond, and classical music - but only behind locked doors!

www.hughledigo.com

Julian Marc Stringle (Clarinet / Saxophone)

Julian was a child prodigy reed player. He was educated at the Latymer Music School and the London College of Music where he studied Clarinet with Wilf Keeley and Composition with William Lloyd Webber.

He has played on concert, club, festival and broadcast dates with his own band and with:- Peanuts Hucko, Wild Bill Davidson, George Chisholm, Don Lusher, Kenny Baker, Cleo Lane & Sir John Dankworth. He has recorded with John Parricelli, Digby Fairweather, Danny Moss, Sam Brown, Roy Williams, Jim Mullen, Marc Almond, Tommy Whittle, George Melly, Joe Brown, Chas & Dave, The Grid and the Spice Girls! He has appeared at Wembley Arena with Meatloaf!

Julian has recently joined the band since the departure of Andy Cooper after 45 years with the Jazzmen. Julian also stars the Digby Fairweather Half Dozen, backing Paul Jones and leading The Dream Band, his own exciting and melodic Latin-influenced jazz funk quintet.

Julian plays Clarinet, Alto & Tenor Saxes and Sings - but the Clarinet is his passion and he is now recognised as one of the most stylish performers on the instrument in Europe.

Nick Millward (Drums & Vocals)

Born in Birmingham, Nick was given his first drum kit at the age of 5 and was soon to be inspired by the likes of Gene Krupa, Ed Thigpen, Dennis Chambers and in particular the drummer he has styled himself on, Buddy Rich.

Before joining Kenny in 1999, he toured the world with many other bands, starting with an American rock cover band. Nick turned professional when he became a member of the Pete Allen Jazzband, with whom he played for 5 years. He was later with Terry Lightfoot, then the First Class Sounds band featuring Digby Fairweather. In addition to all this, he also runs his own trio or quartet which allows him to display his vocal talents.

Ian Bateman (Trombone)

Ian Bateman is currently standing in for John Bennett while John is having ongoing treatment for a minor cancer. Ian came to the attention of the public when he joined N.Y.J.O as a teenager and never looked back.Many fans of the late Acker Bilk's band will know Ian from there where he played for 11 years right up until Ackers passing. prior to that he performed with, among many others, Rod Mason, Terry Lightfoot, Pete Allen and The Pasadena Roof Orchestra. He also has his own band with his brother Alan called The Bateman Brothers Band and plays in the Back to Basie big band.

John Day (Double Bass)

In a 25 year career John has become a fixture on the mainstream Jazz and Rhythm and Blues scenes. Playing and recording with the likes of Humphrey Lyttelton, Jamie Cullem and Clare Teal amongst others and spent 11 years with Blue Harlem alongside Imelda May. He was a member of Acker Bilk's Paramount Jazzband from 2005 until Acker's retirement in 2013. Over those years John has played with The Kenny Ball band as deputy for Bill Coleman and we're pleased to have him as first choice.

More bad news I'm afraid, I have been informed that Ron Bowden, Kenny Ball's drummer for 40 years, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday night 1st / 2nd of July. I will report more when I have the facts .... Condolences to Ron's family at this sad time ....

John Bennett..

It is with great sadness that I pass on the news that John passed away on the morning of Saturday the 10th June 2017. John had been suffering with a cancer related illness for a couple of years and had been unable to play any concerts during that time. Our thoughts go out to his wife Anne, his children Richard and Tina and their families. John was a superb musician and even more, he was a gentleman in every sense of the word.... He will be sorely missed ..... R.I.P. John

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BILL BENNETT ........ HELP!!!!, I've still not heard from Bill Bennett yet regarding the appeal below..... Can You Help

I've recieved a cheque from a Bill Bennett for £30 to send him our special offer C.D. package. However, he hasn't put his address for me to send them ...... If you read this Bill please contact me via phone or email. You can find them on our contact us page. Please have your cheque account details with you if you call to confirm your identity ...... I won't bank the cheque until I hear from you..... Syd Appleton

The long awaited John Bennett page here on the website. John will post various articles and pictures of his 60 year association with Kenny Ball from their time with Terry Lightfoot, the inception of The Kenny Ball Band right up to the current day ..... Not to be missed!!k hi We have decided to manage the band " in house " and invite agents, promoters and organisations to contact either Les Squires or Syd Appleton regarding booking the band or for other information. Their details can be found on the Contact Us page.

The Kenny Ball band has always been of the highest calibre when it comes to the members and to retain top quality musicians they have to be paid good money for their services. Trying to keep the band going had a negative affect on my health and also my personal life. I moved house too at the end of last year which added to the stress and now we are settled I can give the band my full attention and hopefully move onwards and upwards. We'd like to say a big thankyou to the band's fans for their kind words of encouragement that we've had at all of our concerts over the last two years. It is mainly because of this feedback from the people who supported the band for over 50 years that I knew I had to carry on. Please continue to come and see us, we will carry on as long as you want us to.

NEXT GIG ....... T.B.A.

We have recently changed our management / agency and anticipate more gigs in 2016. Should you wish to book the band please contact Les Squires or Mick Brown at Cabaret Casino on 08450 008007 or leave a message and Les will call you back a.s.a.p.

We will be regularly updating this website with news of upcoming dates for the band, and concert reviews until the end of this year.

Although the website is different the band is not and it is Kenny Junior's plan to carry on his father's legacy as long as you, the Kenny Ball fans, want him to. The band is the same as it was when Kenny played his last concert in Chemnitz, Germany on January 21st 2013.

Ben Cummings (right), who had been one of our "2nd" trumpet players along with Peter Rudeforth, Mike Henry and Alan Bateman, has now been asked to fill the boots of Kenny Ball and his appearance and attacking trumpet style has been compared to the great man himself.

John Bennett (left), having spent 55 years with Kenny Snr. is carrying on much to the delight of his many fans, and of course the band. At the moment John is having a course of treatment for a minor cancer condition and is hoping to return in the new year. Ian Bateman is filling in for John until then

Kenny Ball Junior (right) has taken over running his father's world famous Jazzmen as lead vocalist and the energy and enthusiasm for the music is just as entertaining as it always was. We look forward to seeing you in the near future.